EVERGREEN — A mainstay of Evergreen’s past is returning in the form of El Rancho Brewing Company, a brewpub anticipating a fall 2015 opening.
El Rancho was built as a restaurant in 1947 on U.S. 40, what was then the main highway to the mountains. It became a popular stop with a gift shop, post office, and later a lodge, conference center and the namesake of a highway exit and bus stop after Interstate 70 was built in the 1970s. It is said to have the most photographed view of the Continental Divide in America, .
“There are very high expectations — people love this building,” said Laurie Vincent, who with her husband, Robert, and his two brothers, Thomas and Paul, bought the vacant El Rancho building at 29260 U.S. 40.
“People are telling us that they got engaged here, several people had a wedding or a wedding reception here,” Laurie Vincent said. “There are a lot of memories that people in the community have.”
The new owners are cognizant of the building’s history and plan to retain its log-cabin feel, with its bars, hardwood floors and front deck, but are bringing the layout and kitchen into the 21st century with a multi-million dollar renovation.
By the time it is finished, managed by head brewer Bard Neilsen, who comes with 4½ years of experience as head brewer of Dad and Dudes Brewing in Aurora.
Neilsen got the job by way of a recommendation from an Evergreen friend of the Vincent’s.
Neilsen said his brewing style will be rooted in traditional styles — his personal favorite beer style is India Pale Ale — but he is excited to get creative with ingredients. He also knows that a brew pub is something the Evergreen community has been waiting for for quite a while.
“They’re thirsty for some good-quality Colorado craft beer up here,” Neilsen said. “They’re surprisingly a market that hasn’t been fulfilled with a brewery or brewpub here.”
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JosieKlemaier
